The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
ASPIRING female politicians have pledged to take advantage of the recently passed quota system in Local Government to increase the number of women occupying various political offices.
The 20 aspiring politicians who were attending a Women Political Training and Mentorship Workshop at a local hotel last week hailed the development that came through the passing of the Constitutional Amendment Act Number 2.
The Act relates to Section 124 of the Constitution on the extension of the women’s quota by 10 years, and the introduction of a 30 percent quota for women at Local Government level.
Interviewed participants hailed it as a positive development in Zimbabwean politics.
The workshop was hosted by Zimbabwe Gender Commission, United Nations Women and Women’s Coalition in Zimbabwe.
Zanu PF’s Mutare District Co-ordinating Committee secretary for women affairs, Cde Lorraine Mukodza, said as women they would take advantage of the quota system to bridge the gap between women and men in politics.
“It is our duty as women to bridge that gap. President Mnangagwa has done his best by ascending to this Act. What is left is for us to play our part and ensure that we occupy the various political offices,” she said.
Another participant, Ms Batanai Gwangwa said the quota system would help in promoting women’s leadership development in politics and decision making spheres.
She expressed her desire to contest in the 2023 harmonised elections.
“The passing of the Act have empowered us to be active players in politics. Come 2023, more women will be participating in politics. As women, we should support our own,” she said.
Zimbabwe Gender Commission Chief Executive Officer, Ms Virginia Muwanigwa, also concurred that there was need to mobilise women, and educate them on the importance of voting for their counterparts.
“Women need to be educated that it is their duty to vote fellow women into decision-making positions. Trolling other women should not be encouraged as it is your duty to build them.
“We also acknowledge the recent positive developments that came through the passing of the Constitutional Amendment Act Number 2 relating to Section 124 of the Constitution on the extension of the women’s quota by 10 years, and the introduction of a 30 percent quota for women at Local Government level,” said Ms Muwanigwa.
She said her organisation would provide the necessary impetus to support all developments that fight for women to be in decision making positions.
